Pray

Job 42: 10

When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes.

Have you ever had a time in your journey that it seems the whole world is against you? Would it have been the appropriate time to pray for those that helped you get to that place?

Think about it…Hit your knees and pray for those that wronged you. I know in my own journey that is not the thing I want to do. It is what I should do, but not what I want to do.

I've realized that when I do lift the people up in prayer I no longer feel the pain, the anger, the unforgiveness. You just cannot stay mad at those that you pray for, it seems…your feelings change through prayer!

When I looked it up about this scripture it said that when Job showed mercy to his friends that then God was able to show mercy to Job. God only shows us mercy when we first show mercy. Forgiven when you forgive. Pray and be freed!

Not only did it tell us that the Lord restored Job's fortunes, it tells us that he gave him twice as much. Job suffered, but he was blessed.

Pray for our friends, but also for our enemies. Sometimes it seems our friends fall into this category as well and give it to the Lord. The pain is eased, the peace is restored and forgiveness is shown. After all, our pain is not the same once we give it to the Lord.

Praying,

Debbie

 

nothing

Job 40:4

I am nothing – how could I ever find answers?

Isn't this so true?

I am nothing without God.

It takes us a little while to get to the point we admit this fact, but it is a fact!

I imagine sitting in Job's chair, hang hung as the Lord challenges Job with just a few facts about who God is…Creator!

God didn't past the role of being the creator today. He is so much more and he only talked about his creation. Only…is an understatement!

Creation always amazes me. I always look around when I feel down to be reminded that God made all of these amazing creatures, nature, well just everything. I am reminded that I don't need to feel down that I have the Great Creator on my side and I don't need another thing!

Indeed, I am nothing without you LORD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Closer to God

Job 32: 8

But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them that makes them intelligent.

Before I go any further today, I have to admit to you I was tired of Job and his 3 friends. I was ready for somebody to speak up and this young man finally did! Hallelujah!

Don't get me wrong. I know I have times that I sound like Job and times that I sound like the 3 friends, but I was so ready for somebody to sound different. To be reminded of hope and how we have hope and today a young man finally spoke to his elders and reminded them about God. It was refreshing!

What about you? Have you done that lately?

We are all in settings where we hear the mumbles, the grumbles, the woe to me and do we speak up and remind them that there is spirit in them that makes them intelligent, or do we remind them that God is greater than any human being, or do we remind them that the breath of the Almighty gave them life? What gentle beautiful reminders of Who God IS!

God is speaking again and again – still…Do we notice?

In Job 34: 14 –

If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn to dust.

I loved this reminder of God's power. We or maybe I should say I sometimes forget if God decided to do this it would happen. Only a word and things would be different. It doesn't matter what is on our calendars, on our day planners or simply written in our heads…God can change those plans. God is busy and we sometimes have the disrespect to assume things only God knows…we are reminded in verse 37 –

Our rebellion to our sin shows no respect and then we speak angry words against God.

Don't we do this just like Job? We speak of things we know nothing about all the time. We forget to honor and respect God. Oh, we don't do it intentionally, but think back over the past few days with your conversations, your thoughts did you show God respect and reverence in your thoughts and actions? Are we any different from Job or his "all knowing" friends?

Oh Lord. I want to walk closer to you and your ways become mine. Forgive me Father for the times that I fail you - which are far too often.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

What is felt in your home?

Job 29: 4

When I was in my prime, God's friendship was felt in my home.

I love this!

What do you feel in your home?

Love, friendship, peace, happiness?

Stress, arguing, anger, fear?

God's friendship was felt in my home…Think about it. When you don't feel God's friendship, is it because God left or did we not invite Him for a visit? Did God knock and I did not open the door? Did I hear the doorbell ring and I just ignore it? Did I see someone at the door, but decided to wallow in my pity?

Choices…our choice.

Today's reading in Job chapters 28 and 29 talked a lot about God's wisdom and understanding. I was thinking as I read that sometimes we don't want to understand, we don't want to have wisdom, because it simply might not be our desires – it would be God's! If we choose God's wisdom, we must let go of some of our own desires and sometimes we simply don't want to let go!

I desire God's friendship and I want to feel this in my home. Is it always easy? NO…I fall so short in my choices at times that I don't feel God, but I try to correct this, because I desire His friendship, I need His friendship, simply put I NEED HIM!

Needing God,

Debbie